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MO0MEN
Top Moments
IN MICHIGAN SPORTS
It's been a wild ride for Michigan sports fans this past year. From Samantha Findlay's mon-
ster blast to the basketball team's shocking collapse in the Big Ten Tournament, no one
predicted the twists and turns this season has taken. With that in mind, the Daily Sports
staff breaks down the best and worst moments of the past year in Michigan sports.
Five
Mo,
wE
ME
Date: Oct. 15, 2005
Where: Ann Arbor
What: Mario Man-
ningham's last-sec-
ond touchdown that
downed Penn State
Why: The thrilling
catch was a rare
bright spot for Michi-
gan and dealt Penn
State its only loss of
the season.
Date: March 25, 2006
Where: East Lansing
What: Michigan's fourth-
place finish in the Big Ten
Why: After seven straight
Big Ten titles, the gym-
nasts literally fell short. Four
falls on the balance beam
ensured Michigan's fate.
Date: Nov. 19, 2005
Where: Ann Arbor
What: The Wolverines'
25-21 loss to Ohio
State
Why: A victory over the
Buckeyes would have
salvaged a lackluster
season. Instead, Michi-
gan blew a 9-point
lead on its home turf.
Date: June 8, 2005
Where: Oklahoma City
What: Samantha Findlay's national-title
sealing homer against UCLA in the final
game of the College World Series
Why: Findlay's 10th-inning blast capped off
a thrilling game and gave Michigan its first-
ever softball title.
3
Date: March 23, 2006
Where: Atlanta
What: Peter
Vanderkaay's record-
setting performance in
the 500-yard freestyle
Why: Vanderkaay not
only took home an NCAA
Championship - he also
set anAmerican record.
Date: Jan. 25, 2006
Where: Ann Arbor
What: Michigan's 72-67
win over Michigan State
Why: For the first time since
2003, Michigan knocked
off its intrastate rival. The
victory triggered a court-
rushing celebration.
Date: April 8, 2006
Where: Norman, Okla.
What: Drew DiGiore's All-
American vault performance
Why: DiGiore, an alternate,
was sitting in the stands
when a competitor was
injured. He stepped up
and nailed his vaults, plac-
ing fifth in the nation.
Date: Nov. 6, 2005
Where: Ann Arbor
What: Michigan's 3-1 loss
to Wisconsin in the Big
Ten Tournament finals
Why: Due to the loss, the
Wolverines missed the
NCAA Tournament for the
first time since 1996.
Date: March 18, 2006
Where: Oklahoma City
What: Ryan Churel-
la's 9-8 defeat in the
165-pound national
championship bout
Why: A few suspect calls
and a takedown in the
last three ticks dooned
Churella, who fell 9-8 in
his last shot at a title:
Date: March 9,
Where: Indianap
What: Michigan'
nesota in the Bid
Why: A win woul
gan to the Big D
time in eight yea
fell apart in Con,
PHOTOS BY JASON COOPER, RODRIGO GAYA, MIKE H-ULSEBUS.
SHUBRA OHRI, STEVEN TAI, RYAN WEINER AND FILE PHOTOS.